Vacuum testing of high efficiency multi-base tube AMTEC cells

The Phillips Laboratory Power Systems Branch (PL/VTVP) is performing vacuum testing of high performance alkali metal thermoelectric conversion (AMTEC) cells. These AMTEC cells are being built by Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. (AMPS) with design input from Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), Nichols Research Corporation (NRC), Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies (ISNPS), and PL/VTVP. Tests are performed in a prototypical environment to demonstrate feasibility and identify bottlenecks to performance and endurance as well as to provide design feedback. Test results for two major design iterations of the PX series cells are discussed. The data shows that continued improvements made to the cell design have continually increased electric power output and conversion efficiency. To date, the best performance from a PX-series cell tested at PL/VTVP was an electric power output of 4.3 watts and a conversion efficiency of /spl sim/14%. These data imply that design goals of 6 watts and 22% efficiency per cell will be surpassed.